The boards of directors of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) have finalized the merger of the two non-profit organizations. The organization will operate as the Parkinson’s Foundation with offices in New York City and Miami.

“This merger is about the future and we are thrilled to have it completed,” said John Kozyak, board chair of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Millions of people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s. We owe it to them to move the science and care forward and the merger allows us to do just that even better. We are driven by the perspective, needs and priorities of people living with the disease and, together, we will be a formidable and effective force in the fight against Parkinson’s.”

The Parkinson’s Foundation will be governed by a board of directors that will include 11 members from each of the legacy organizations. Kozyak, who was formerly chair of NPF, will serve as board chair for two years, to be succeeded by Howard Morgan, formerly chair of PDF. Morgan will initially serve as vice chair of the Parkinson’s Foundation.

“The Parkinson’s Foundation will be greater than the sum of our individual parts. Indeed, the coming together has redoubled our shared spirit of focus and purpose. And that is just the beginning,” said Mr. Morgan. “The merger presents extraordinary opportunities for the future, but rest assured, we are also very focused on the present. While we do not anticipate any changes to our exceptional programs—from our Centers of Excellence and individual and collaborative research and training programs around the world to our helpline services and education and advocacy programs in communities across the country—we embrace the opportunity of integrating the two organizations as an occasion for renewed commitment.”

A Search committee of the board has been formed to recruit a new chief executive officer for the organization. The executive search firm of Russell Reynolds has been retained to assist in this effort. Each division will continue to communicate with its supporters under its legacy brand until the Parkinson’s Foundation brand is fully integrated.